The Broncos have had a lock on AFC West for four straight seasons, and they are heavy favorites in Las Vegas to make it five. The Westgate SuperBook lists them at 1-to-2 odds (-200) to come out on top again. They are 12-to-1 to win the Super Bowl and have a season win total of 10.
Denver, though, is not all by itself in the division, as the Chiefs and Chargers have both put together consecutive winning seasons and haven't showed any signs of regression. The division sent all three of these teams to the playoffs in 2013-14, but last season San Diego and Kansas City, despite 9-7 records, were nosed out of the wild card by AFC North clubs Cincinnati and Baltimore. The Chiefs and Chargers are offered at odds of 7-to-2 and 4-to-1 to win the division this year.
Pulling up the rear, per usual, are the Raiders, who haven't had a winning record since 2002-03, when the went to the Super Bowl and lost to the Bucs. Their past three seasons have resulted in four, four and three wins. Oakland's season win total at 5.5 at the SuperBook.
Here's a bettor's offseason snapshot of the AFC West, including season win totals, odds to win the Super Bowl and odds to win the division, as well as The Linemakers' take on each team. Odds are current as of Monday, June 8.
Broncos
Season win total: 10 (OVER -130, UNDER +110)
Odds to win AFC West: 1-2
Odds to win Super Bowl: 12/1
The Linemakers’ take: Peyton Manning will again be outstanding in the regular season. They also had a terrific draft, and perhaps the best move of all was bringing in Wade Phillips to run the defense. Expect another 12-win season, but then…
Chiefs
Season win total: 8.5 (OVER -120, UNDER +100)
Odds to win AFC West: 7-2
Odds to win Super Bowl: 30/1
The Linemakers’ take: One of the most reliable UNDER bets last season (11-5) because of their slow offensive pace. Don’t expect much to change this season, except for a possible return to the playoffs. Nine or more wins looks solid.
Chargers
Season win total: 8 (OVER -140, UNDER +120)
Odds to win AFC West: 4/1
Odds to win Super Bowl: 30/1
The Linemakers’ take: We love the Melvin Gordon selection in the first round and could see him making a major splash in 2015. Every facet of the team is above average, and they are capable of a playoff berth. A bet on OVER 8 wins looks good.
Raiders
Season win total: 5.5 (OVER +110, UNDER -130)
Odds to win AFC West: 20/1
Odds to win Super Bowl: 100/1
The Linemakers’ take: Derek Carr has been given some nice targets, but six wins is a stretch. Despite another losing season ahead, bettors have made them the sports books’ largest Super Bowl risk.
More division outlooks: Typical season ahead for AFC North
NFC: East | North | South | West
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